Brett:
Next thing we should take a look at is how we set our inputs in Pro Tools. If you look on the screen here, this is our inputs right here.
Essentially, when we plug our MIDI, depending on how we record, the back of our Pro Tool interface is that inputs are numbered one through how many your inputs your particular hardware has.
At that point, when you plug you pre-amp or DI into that input, you tell Pro Tools where to look for it, and it takes place right up here. So, we will click on that and you will see the interface. (Demonstration)
Bob:
It assigns numbers to what is being recorded.
Brett:
Exactly. A lot of the times, I see some of the beginners and then they will record. We have seen that before and they go, “How come we are not seeing any signal?” Check your inputs.
Bob:
That is right. The signal has to get there.
Brett:
Always check your inputs. Next thing that is always a great fun is naming our tracks.
Brad:
It makes sense. It is how you can find them again.
Brett:
Absolutely. One thing that we always encourage one another to do—you and I, we always break each other’s balls about this—is to name, label everything, accurate name and label. You will have such an easier time.
Brad:
Guitar track 11 does not suffice, necessarily.
Brett:
Absolutely. Naming tracks is really, really easy. When you pull up your tracks, we just click on it and we will name this. (Demonstration) It is very, very straightforward and simple. It really allows you to look at the mix and identify what everything is.
Bob:
What if later on we want to move some of these around, for instance, if we want to look at the kick drum and the base just to make sure they are lined up properly, and it was recorded on Track 30 and the other was recorded on Track 2, what would happen then?
Brett:
We click on the track we want to move, we will just pull it up. (Demonstration)
Brad:
That does make it easy. One can do that at any point during the proceedings?
Brett:
At any point in time during the proceedings.
Brad:
Even when all of the tracks are recorded?
Brett:
Absolutely.
Bob:
That sure makes it easy.
Brett:
Yes, this way—it is a console in the fact that you can configure your tracks any way you like. Whenever you make a move in the mix window with moving your tracks, the same will apply to your other window.
As we move along, we will show you a few more things happening to Pro Tools window. If you look up here and ask what are these little things for? These are what you call your insert points. In Pro Tools, you are allowed five inserts per track.
Essentially, what an insert would be is we pull up an EQ or a compressor, or something like that which also corresponds to plug-ins, which we are going to get into in a short bit.
If you are looking at these, what are these for? When you click on it, (Demonstration) there are lots of choices, depending on how many plug-ins are installed in your Pro Tools System, which we would encourage a lot.
Bob:
The more of them, the more choices you have.
Brett:
Absolutely. So, we will pull up a plug-in there and there is a nice little EQ. (Demonstration)
The second five are your “sends”. Sends get sent through what we call “buses”. What Sends do is it sends a copy of that track on the bus, and then we set up an auxiliary track to return it, which we are going to demonstrate in just a bit.
Just to give you an idea of what a “send” is, we click on here. (Demonstration) Unless you are going out through hardware, you probably would not want to use your interface prompt. It will go to your “bus”, especially if you are going to be staying within the Pro Tools environment.
We pull up a bus, one and two. (Demonstration) Another fader has appeared which essentially shows how much of that signal was going to be sent to the auxiliary track.
So, that takes a little bit out of the guess work as to, “what are these for?” Now you know.
Moving right along, you have your “pens”.
Bob:
This would give you the imaging where the spectrum of sound is in place.
Brett:
Exactly. These are real apparent because once you start moving them, (Demonstration). You will have a real easy time with that.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services